The Gulf Coast Has History - Learn About it With These Exciting Tours!

If any of you are like me, a vacation is not complete without a little destination history. I recall my first vacation up in Northern Michigan when we took a tour of Mackinac Island. As a kid, I really enjoyed seeing and hearing about this culture and way of life in this part of state. Ever since then, I grew to love exploring the culture and history of an unfamiliar place. The best part of learning is doing something fun to compliment the history lesson. Here are a few things you can do on the Gulf Coast that are fun, but still offer some insights on the local history.

1. Historic Segway Tours in Downtown Pensacola

2. Dolphin Watch & Destin History Cruise

3. Downtown Pensacola City Tours 

4. New Orleans Super City Tour By Motor Coach Bus

Big Fall Festivals On The Gulf Coast You Can't Miss!

The Fall season is definitely my favorite time of the year. The traffic is tolerable and the weather is amazing. We also love the fact that there are many great festivals throughout the Gulf Coast that give even more reason to come visit. Although there are a lot of good ones, here are a few you might want to checkout.

1) Destin Seafood Festival | www.destinseafoodfestival.org

Dates: October 3rd-5th

The Destin Seafood Festival is one of the longest running festivals on the Gulf Coast. The festival is comprised of many events such as live music, arts/crafts, local seafood, and kids activities. The Seafood festival runs along the Destin Harbor on the West end of the city. This event is free to everyone!

2) Gulf Shores National Shrimp Festival | www.myshrimpfest.com

Dates: October 9-12

The Gulf Shores National Shrimp Fest is a weekend celebration of seafood, arts/crafts, live entertainment and more. This is one of the largest annual events on the Gulf Coast with more than 60,000 people planning to attend. There will be plenty to do including activities for the kids, carnival games, and more. The event is held at the Hangout on the West end of Gulf Shores. 

3) Pensacola Seafood Festival & Fiesta of Five Flags | www.fiestaoffiveflags.org/

Dates: September 26-29

The Pensacola Seafood Festival and Fiesta of Five Flags go hand in hand. The fiesta is a celebration of Pensacola's heritage that dates back to 1559! The 37th annual seafood festival takes place in downtown Pensacola and offers everything from fresh local seafood to art/crafts and live entertainment. It's worth taking a trip to Pensacola for this exciting event.

5 Ways You Can Propose To Your Girlfriend in Destin, FL

There is no better place than Destin, FL to capture a moment that will be cherished for the rest of your life. Destin is full of so many exciting things to do with a backdrop that is made for the movies. It's a pretty normal week for us to hear from a handful of men trying to find the best way to propose to their significant other. That is why we decided to dedicate a blog to different ways you can propose in Destin. Which one will you pick?

1) Sailing Excursion

Take a private sailing excursion along the Destin coastline. Bring some of your favorite foods and drinks or arrange something with the captain. Sailing is an amazing experience even if you're not planning to propose. The nostalgic aspect makes for an intimate experience on the water. Without the grumbling of an engine or the smell of diesel fuel, there is little to break your concentration so you can relax and say those 4 words.

2) Helicopter Tour

Helicopter tours have been one of the newer Destin activities and proposals have been very popular. Take a sunset flight and see the Destin coastline and emerald green waters. All tours are private so you will have the entire helicopter to yourself. 

3) On The Beach

This may be the most popular way to propose in Destin and you certainly can't go wrong! With the emerald green waters and sugar white sand in your backdrop, it's a sure way to win the moment. Propose at sunset for the best experience. Make sure to hire a photographer so you can get some photos during or after the big moment!

4) Dinner Cruise

Enjoy a night out on the Solaris, a 150 passenger fine dining yacht located at the Sandestin Resort. The yacht cruises weekly and offers the best environment for proposals and even weddings. Enjoy a 3 course meal with live entertainment and table service. Be sure to book your seats early as this cruise does sell out in advance.

5) Norriego Point

Norrego Point offers some of the most stunning views of Destin, especially during sunset. Bring some drinks and snacks and spend the evening at this public spot before you pop the big question. 

Why I Don't Worry About Sharks Anymore

It's a pretty common question we get here at TripShock.

"We are scared to go on this tour because of sharks...."

Let's face it, we all think about it when we get into the ocean no matter how many times we've stepped in. Even though it's still in the back of my mind when i go ocean swimming, I had a moment in my life that made me completely forget about those worries.

Several years ago, I had my peace with sharks after I went fishing in the Destin area. We had a really great time and caught two 5 foot sharks in the bay. When we brought these sharks on the boat, they were absolutely helpless. Without water or space, they sat there exhausted and with little to protect themselves. Aside from the occasional tail whip, they were at our mercy. We took some photos and put them back in the water.

that's me in the middle!

After I got done fishing that night, I thought about the sharks we caught and how these infamous creatures were no different than any other animal. They didn't posses any supernatural powers nor did they eat us alive on the boat. To make myself clear, they are a really big fish with teeth!

So are these teeth for eating humans? No.

Sharks eat fish, just like other fish like to eat fish too. Shark attacks are typically caused from humans being confused as fish. Sharks are also not the only fish that confuse humans as food as even the pin fish will nibble at your fingers and toes!

If I ever get bitten by a shark in the future, I will know it was a big fish confusing me for food and it was totally random. We have to accept in our society that random and freak accidents do occur and we have to live our days with the possibility of anything happening. 

If I still don't have you convinced to let your guard down, you can take a few preventative steps to lower your odds of being bitten. Happy swimming folks!

Why You Need To Take Your Children Sailing

Photo courtesy of Emerald Lady Sailing in Destin, FL

I had the opportunity to experience sailing a few years ago and it wasn't soon after we departed that I knew I'd be doing this a lot in the future. After my first trip, I was taking every opportunity I had to get on a sailboat. I don't really know why I love sailing so much. Maybe it's because the nostalgic aspect of sailing intrigues me. We live in a society that is consumed by electronics and machines so the fact that we are using the power of mother nature to enjoy this experience was gratifying. Without a boat engine grumbling in the water, the calm and serenity of the wind and ocean is all you can hear. I'm sure most American who sailed before can relate to my assessment!

I know that most of our customers that book sailing charters are typically older, but I'm here to say that sailing is a must for children. Every time I see a child get behind the wheel and get the feel for what being a captain is like, I can see a sense of pride and excitement. In a world dominated by machines, children are prisoners of their own devices and sailing is something that liberates them. They know that they are completely in control and its very real!

There are private sailing tours all over the Gulf Coast and they are not much  more than what a dolphin cruise costs. The captains are very accommodating and have an interest in sharing their passion with families and children. Next time you visit, don't miss out on this opportunity to enlighten your children who may be consumed by a world that is leaving behind these amazing experiences. Happy Sailing!

5 Reasons Why Fall Is The Best Time To Travel To the Gulf Coast

As the Summer starts to wind down and the kids go back to school, the Gulf Coast changes from a bustling tourist town to a sleepy beach destination as it was before the area was promoted worldwide. Those that are able to visit the Gulf Coast in the Fall can take advantage of less traffic, short waits at restaurants, and discounted lodging and tours. Here are the top 5 reasons why Fall is the best time to visit the Gulf Coast (In no particular order).

1. Weather

The weather on the Gulf Coast would be considered perfect by some. Mild humidity and temps (75-85 degrees) make it comfortable to be outside for long periods of times. It may get a little cool at night, but a light jacket or sweater is all you need to fix that. Just because it's cooler out, don't underestimate the powerful sun! Use sunscreen when on the beach at all times to prevent sunburns.

2. Traffic

The traffic on the Gulf Coast during the Summer is worse than any major city in the US during rush hour. It certainly makes you want to stay in your hotel all week long! However, in the Fall the traffic is 1/4 of what you'll see in the Summer. Don't waste your precious vacation time sitting in a car.

3. Deals

My favorite part of visiting in the Fall has got to be the deals! Hotel rates will decrease by up to 50% from Summer and activity prices also drop significantly. This makes a great opportunity to make a quick getaway if you're on a budget. Visit TripShock.com for a lot of great deals on hotels and lodging. 

4. Festivals 

Some of the best festivals on the Gulf Coast happen in the Fall. In Destin, the annual Seafood Festival is in September that kicks off the October Fishing Rodeo. Also, the popular Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores kicks off in early October. Check out the city or county websites for your Gulf Coast destination for more information on festivals and events in the Fall.

5. Parking & Restaurant Waits

Who likes spending hours trying to find parking spots at crowded shopping malls or wait hours for a table at a restaurant? In the Fall, you don't have to worry about that! Restaurants are so hungry for business that not only do you get seated right away, but a lot of coupons and specials are available. 

Did we make a good case for the Fall? :-)

How Travel Reviews Make Vacations Better For All

Some of you that are reading this may have just come back from a vacation and want to share your experiences about the places you visited. I certainly hope that most of the experiences were great, but there are always a few dreadful ones here and there. Over the years, I have personally read thousands of reviews on everything from toothbrushes to hotels. It's important that consumers leave reviews because it makes the buying experience better for others and helps good companies grow. However, I have increasingly noticed that reviews have gotten lazy. It's becoming rare to find reviews that are helpful to travelers even though they have good intentions. I would like to take a moment to explain how to make a helpful review.

1) Briefly explain why you bought and who was involved.

Bad Example: This was a great hotel! All of us had a great time.

Good Example: We booked this hotel for a family vacation and enjoyed our experience. Our family consisted of 2 teenagers (14 & 16) and 2 adults in their mid 40's.

2) Explain what and why you purchased. Be somewhat specific as a broad review is not helpful.

Bad Example: We booked the TripShock Suites and we loved it. There was nothing bad to say about it.

Good Example: The reason we selected the TripShock Suites is because of it's large lazy river and proximity to the harbor. We decided to go with the two bedroom condo because we wanted the privacy and full kitchens it offers. It was a great selection for our family.

3) Although some reviews can be novels, discuss two pros and two cons of the purchase. 

Bad Example: We hated the front desk, they were very rude. However,we enjoyed the pool and the easy walk to the beach. 

Good Example: The stay started off a little concerning as our room was not ready until 6pm. The front desk told us that they were short on housekeepers. We also experienced very slow service at the restaurant downstairs and decided not to eat there after our first time. We did however find the hotel concierge very helpful and put together some exciting tours for us. The property also is very clean and the furnishings are modern and classy.

4) Offer constructive criticism and recommendations for the property and other guests.

Bad Example: All the hotel staff needs to be fired. I would never stay here again and will tell everyone never to go.

Good Example: If we stayed again, we would suggest to the hotel to improve their staffing situation and make sure there is enough housekeepers and servers. It was an inconvenience for us to check-in late after driving all day. Also, considering the high cost of the meals at the hotel, we shouldn't have waited over an hour to get our meals. We recommend to call the hotel on the day of arrival just to make sure the room is ready because if it isn't, then you can hit up some of the attractions nearby while waiting. 

5) Close out the review with your overall feelings

Bad Example: Stay away, this was the worst place you'll ever go to.

Good Example: Overall, we enjoyed our stay and will make a trip back again.